Ruth Dunn

Ruth Prince Dunn, 85, of Kankakee, IL, passed away Friday, January 3, 2020 at her home. Visitation will be Monday, January 13, 2020 from 10:00 A.M. until time of funeral services at 11:00 A.M. at Lax Mortuary. Elder Marcus I. Tate will officiate and Bishop Melvin R. Deal will deliver the eulogy. Burial will be in Mound Grove Gardens of Memory. Ruth Prince Dunn, was born February 4, 1934 to Matthew and Mattie Elsberry in Montgomery, Alabama. Ruth married John D. Prince Sr. and to this union seven children were born, four sons and three daughters. In 1957 Ruth and John, with two children born, moved to Gary, Indiana and in 1963, with five children, built and settled down on their farm in Pembroke Township, Illinois. Then two additional children were born to the family. She was a former employee of the Joliet Ammunition Plant and the M & D Balloon Company in Manteno, IL. After hearing the Gospel preached and witnessing many miracles, signs and wonders of God through Bishop Melvin R. Deal and Evangelist Iona C. Deal at Christ Healing Temple of the Apostolic Faith Church in Pembroke Township, she accepted the truth and was baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Holy Ghost in 1972. She quickly became a faithful worker in the church and in the community, serving as an usher, Sunday School Teacher, praise leader, and a licensed, ordained minister of the Gospel. Minister Ruth Dunn touched lives everywhere she went. She would sing and minister to individuals in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, jails, prisons and those on the streets. She was a warm, sweet, sincere and devoted person, always greeting and encouraging others with words, songs and a smile. Her passion was singing old hymns, praising and worshipping the Lord. She was known for her delicious chicken and dumplings, which Pastor and Mother Deal feasted on every time they got a chance. Minister Dunn was a great listener and she was known to get a prayer through. She consoled many, as her phone was always available, and her heart was always open. Ruth leaves to cherish her memory, three sons, John D. Prince Jr. of Kankakee, IL, Bernard J. (Patricia) Prince of Pembroke Township, IL and Kenneth A. (Brenda Denise) Prince of Minneapolis, MN; three daughters, Mattie B. Prince of Coons Rapid, MN, Gwendolyn A. Prince of Ramsey, MN and Brenda J. Prince Tate of Kankakee, IL; two brothers, Willie James Elsberry of El Paso, TX and Robert Earl Elsberry of Cleveland, OH; 23 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; four nieces, one nephew; one nephew-in-law and a host of great-nieces, great nephews, church family, loved ones and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, John D. Prince Sr.; her second husband, Charles Dunn and her baby son, Alan D. Prince. Within the church and community, Ruth was known as “Mother Dunn,” to her brothers, “Sis,” to her children, ‘Ma,” “Madea” and “Mommie,” but to her grandchildren, “Ganny.”

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Ruth Dunn

February 4, 1934 - January 3, 2020